The Hunger Games prequel: Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin to join 'Sunrise on the Reaping' set for 2026 release; Check who else is on the cast

Time of India

22-05-2025

The Hunger Games prequel: Lionsgate has announced key cast additions to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, set for release on 20 November 2026. Kieran Culkin will portray Caesar Flickerman, while Elle Fanning joins as a younger Effie Trinket. Directed by franchise regular Francis Lawrence, the film is based on Suzanne Collins' prequel novel and set 24 years before the original series. This prequel follows the 50th Hunger Games and introduces a younger Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, among other characters.
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Elle Fanning to star as young Effie Trinket
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Kieran Culkin has officially joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping , the upcoming prequel to the blockbuster franchise. The Oscar-winning actor will portray Caesar Flickerman, the theatrical and unnervingly charming host of the Capitol's infamous death match. The announcement was made by Lionsgate on 21 May.Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, 'Kieran's scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm are perfect for Caesar Flickerman, the sickeningly watchable host of Panem's darkest spectacle. Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable — and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own.'Producer Nina Jacobson also shared her thoughts on Culkin's casting: 'Kieran's magnetism, wit and unpredictability make him a perfect fit for Caesar Flickerman. A host like Caesar transforms brutality into entertainment, and an actor as layered as Kieran makes sure we don't look away.'Culkin, known for his acclaimed role in Succession and currently starring in Broadway's Glengarry Glen Ross, is expected to bring a unique blend of humour and menace to the role.Fan-favourite joins as Capitol's iconic escortOn 20 May, Sunrise on the Reaping confirmed the casting of Elle Fanning as the younger version of Effie Trinket — the fashion-forward Capitol escort first brought to life by Elizabeth Banks in the original film series. The news was shared via the film's official social media channels.Lionsgate's Erin Westerman said, 'From the moment Suzanne released the book, one question echoed from fans around the world: Who will play Effie? Elizabeth Banks made her iconic — so who could honour that legacy while bringing us back to Effie's early, most formative days? For us, there was only one answer. Elle Fanning's career has been transcendent. She has a rare presence — warm, sparkling and layered with extraordinary depth. She was the undeniable fan favourite from the start, and we're honoured she answered the call. The odds, it turns out, were in our favour.'Effie's role in this prequel sees her guiding District 12 tribute Haymitch Abernathy, as he prepares for the brutal 50th Hunger Games.New and familiar faces fill out Panem's pastAlongside Culkin and Fanning, the prequel will introduce a range of characters—both new and familiar to longtime fans. Joseph Zada stars as a young Haymitch Abernathy, the sarcastic mentor who later helped Katniss and Peeta survive. He was originally played by Woody Harrelson in the first four films.Ralph Fiennes will portray a younger version of President Coriolanus Snow, the cold and calculating ruler of Panem, a role made memorable by the late Donald Sutherland. Jesse Plemons takes on the part of Plutarch Heavensbee, originally portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Other cast members include Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Lili Taylor as Mags Flanagan, Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Molly McCann as Louella McCoy, and Iona Bell as Lou Lou.The film is directed by franchise veteran Francis Lawrence and written by Billy Ray, based on Suzanne Collins' recently released book of the same name.A return to Panem's darkest traditionSunrise on the Reaping takes viewers back 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games series. The story centres on the 50th Hunger Games—infamously known as the Second Quarter Quell—where rules are made even crueler than usual. It will explore the roots of the Capitol's obsession with spectacle and control, through the lens of the tributes, mentors, and broadcasters who shaped that brutal chapter in Panem's history.The book begins on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Games, diving deep into the politics, trauma, and manipulation surrounding the tradition. The last prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, introduced a young Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth, and received a strong box office response.Big names, familiar faces, and a dark tale aheadWith its five previous instalments earning more than $3.3 billion globally, the Hunger Games franchise remains one of Hollywood's most bankable properties. Lionsgate appears confident that Sunrise on the Reaping will uphold that legacy.The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 20 November 2026. Producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson return under the Colour Force banner, with Cameron MacConomy serving as executive producer. Lionsgate executives Meredith Wieck and Scott O'Brien are overseeing the project, and Robert Melnik negotiated the deal for the studio.From seasoned actors to rising stars, and with a powerful source novel as its base, Sunrise on the Reaping is shaping up to be one of 2026's most anticipated releases.